Bowl Projections 2012: Mapping out Who Will Headline Each BCS Matchup

All of the BCS bowl projections can change with one loss to any of the Top 10 teams. One loss to one of the Top 4 undefeated teams would drastically alter the makeup of these bowl games as well.

Here are our picks for how it’s going to go down. Let us know in the comment section below who you think will be going bowling where when the BCS selection comes.

BCS National Championship Game: BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2

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Nick Saban looks like he's been there before.

Alabama vs. Kansas State

This one is pretty straightforward, the Crimson Tide and Wildcats currently sit atop the rankings and there aren't going to be any losses or outside factors that change that before season’s end. Though, Bama will need to stave off the surging Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game and Kansas State has its toughest remaining challenge in Week 11 against TCU.

Fiesta Bowl: At-large vs. At-large

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Florida vs. Oklahoma

The Gators and Sooners slip in here as at-large bids due to Kansas State moving to the national title game. Notre Dame could be another option for the at-large bid but it’s not likely they’ll make it past the Sugar Bowl’s first selection.

Besides, the Irish mopped the floor with Oklahoma earlier in the season and nobody wants to see that again in bowl season. What could be a good Fiesta Bowl will likely be a low-scoring affair dominated by defense.

Sugar Bowl: At-large vs. At-large

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Notre Dame vs. Clemson

Notre Dame, like Oregon, will run the table, but will end up in a consolatory BCS matchup. There’s no room for four undefeated teams in this BCS system. Clemson will sneak in here after a late-season win over South Carolina puts them in the would be position of the LSU Tigers. Unfortunately for LSU, there’s only room for two SEC teams in the BCS.

Notre Dame will gladly settle for this version of the Tigers, despite their offensive firepower. LSU’s defense has been tough to crack and Notre Dame isn’t exactly moving the ball with any confidence on offense.

Orange Bowl: ACC vs. At-large

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Florida State vs. Louisville

The Cardinals have played through the toughest part of their schedule and only have a season finale date with Rutgers to get through before finishing a perfect season. Florida State will get in here even if they lose to Florida because of the conference tiebreaker they hold over the Clemson Tigers. It’ll be an exciting game featuring two of the top teams from the ACC and Big East.

Rose Bowl: Big Ten vs. Pac-12

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Nebraska vs. Oregon

Nebraska may not be the best team in the Big Ten, and here they find themselves in matchup that has potential embarrassment written all over it. Bo Pelini and his team would be better served by losing the Big Ten championship and letting someone else take the national spotlight beating that the Ducks are going to unleash in this one.

Oregon is likely to be plenty angry they missed out on the national championship due to computer points.